News of this project first dropped over a year ago, when Tim Burton was being eyed to direct, but Deadline reports that Ben Stilleris now in talks to helm the movie. Right now, it’s all a concept — no writers have been hired just yet — but here’s how RDJ described it recently: I was just thinking about Geppetto as a cross between Jake LaMotta and Chico Marx. It’s such a vital story, but it’s really about this working-class weirdo who invests this inanimate object with all of the qualities he doesn’t have,” he said. “I’m just crazy about the idea…. To me a wooden boy is a real boy who doesn’t feel like he’s acknowledged.”

RDJ would play Geppetto in the movie, even if we’re not quite sure of what to make of the character comparison. So file it away on Stuff Robert Downey Jr. Might Do Now That He’s Out Of His Marvel Contract. Dude has options, and will shoot the dramedy “The Judge” this summer, which he might get some awards recognition for. At least according to RDJ.